Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I have been told to expect that report from HIQA in May. I have no further details beyond that. We always debate matters in the Dáil, so there is no difficulty with that. I would point out two things. The Deputy is right about Limerick. It is under particular pressure. The opening of the 96-bed block is absolutely essential to alleviate that pressure. Other than that, there are sites of considerable concern that cannot be explained in the same way. I want to call out St. Vincent’s hospital in particular as well as Tallaght, Cork and Galway. I mention St. Vincent’s in particular. I am doing a detailed analysis of the rostering in these hospitals. To give the Deputy comfort, I would point out that Limerick is the only hospital that is consistently providing the correct rostering over the weekends and has very significant increases in its discharges as a consequence. However, it is stuck on capacity in terms of beds in particular, and the 96-bed block is absolutely crucial. I expect that to be delivered in September.

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